Some artists find their true voice along the way, and others, like Andrea Wittgens, rediscover it with age and experience. Twenty years into her music career, the Canadian singer-songwriter, now based in New York City, returns with Big Dreams Little Earthlings—a deeply honest album full of emotion and an alt-pop sound that pays tribute to the drama and passion of 1980s pop.
This album marks a turning point for her. “This album is the freest I’ve ever felt in my songwriting,” Andrea shares. “It took me a long time to get to a place where my music came from pure self-acceptance.”
Co-produced with Ainjel Emme (John Legend, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Anthony Lopez (The Voidz, Charli XCX), the album includes 10 tracks that explore feminine rage, pain, addiction, hope, and healing. It showcases the full range of Wittgens’ creativity, with rich sonic textures and a voice that isn’t afraid to be vulnerable.
It’s safe to say that Andrea’s voice is the emotional anchor of this album. From the very first track, All Your Sadness Will Be Bathed In Sunshine—a haunting piano ballad about struggling with depression and addiction—you can feel the raw emotion in her voice. It’s like a quiet plea, backed by hypnotic piano melodies that pull you in.
On All The Golden Girls Are Dead, she reflects on the end of a friendship, while the emotional arrangements and dramatic atmosphere highlight her powerful vocals once again. In Red, she channels feminine anger with elegance and strength, blending spoken word with melody in a way that brings to mind Icelandic artist Björk. Meanwhile, House of Heavenly Bodies stands out with its dreamy, theatrical feel and soft backing vocals that give it an ethereal quality.
Big Dreams Little Earthlings is a creative breakthrough. With over 200 original songs to her name and a history of working with big names like Bob Power and Johnny Sangster, Wittgens uses this project to show her cracks, her contradictions, her joy, and pain. And in doing so, she achieves something powerful: she connects with listeners in a real, unfiltered way.
